Minnesota Twins: Outfielder Wilkin Ramirez eyes speedy return

Twins outfielder Wilkin Ramirez's recover from a broken left leg appears to be ahead of schedule.

While Twins officials had said Ramirez probably wouldn't be able to play in the Dominican Winter League until January, the valued reserve spoke confidently Saturday about returning much sooner.

"That's what they say, but my mind is different," Ramirez said with a smile.

Ramirez fractured his tibia when he fouled a ball off his shin Aug. 29 against Kansas City. He said the fracture is healing properly. He overcame a similar injury in 2006 while playing in the Florida State League for the Detroit Tigers.

"I had the same thing before," Ramirez said. "As soon as I felt the pain, I knew something was going on in there. I saw the ball go from my bat to my shin and right to the bone. The pain felt so bad. You can only imagine."

Nonetheless, the 27-year-old believes he will be able to resume baseball activity in "maybe four more weeks." He plans to join Toros del Este, his usual winter ball club, for workouts in advance of the Oct. 18 Opening Day and hopes to be activated by the end of November.

From there, Ramirez plans to play the final two-plus months of the season, including a possible trip to the Caribbean Series. His manager will be Dave Miley, who manages the New York Yankees' Triple-A affiliate in Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

In 2007, the last time Ramirez had to come back from a similar injury, he responded by going 34-for-42 in stolen-base attempts.

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Can he reclaim his speed this time as well?

"I'll be faster because now I'm going to do a different workout," he said. "I'm going to try to get my legs in shape."

Moved to the 60-day disabled list on Sunday to make more for September call-ups, Ramirez expressed confidence he would remain with the organization through another winter of expected roster upheaval.

"I'm a Twin," he said. "I'll be a Twin for a long time."

Ramirez hit .272 in 81 at-bats off the bench for the Twins this season. He missed nearly 11 weeks after suffering a concussion in an outfield collision with Josh Willingham on May 25 in Detroit.